Are you a creator looking to get your first 1000 YouTube subscribers? Reaching that first thousand subscribers may seem intimidating, but with a plan and effort, it can be accomplished.
You need a minimum of 1,000 YouTube Subscribers (and 4000 hours of watch time) to qualify for YouTube’s Partner Program, so reaching this milestone means you can start monetizing your content on the platform! If you want to make the jump to 1000 subscribers, here are some tips for getting those initial followers that will help jumpstart your channel:
#1 Offer Genuine Value to Your Viewers From the VERY Start
From your very first upload, look for ways for your videos to offer value to your viewers. It’s never too early to get into the mindset that the content you produce needs to be viewer-focused. Whether it’s teaching them something new or entertaining them, make sure your viewers are always getting something out of your videos.
The bottom line is that creating engaging content is essential and non-negotiable for YouTube creators to be successful. To keep viewers coming back, content should be interesting and entertaining. To ensure that viewers remain captivated and keep coming back for more, content must be both intriguing and enjoyable.
Take the time to brainstorm creative ideas that align with your channel’s theme or niche. Think outside the box and come up with unique concepts that haven’t been done before on YouTube
#2 Engage with Your Audience Every Day
Engaging with your audience is key to building a loyal following. From the very start of your YouTube journey, take the time to respond to comments on your videos and ask your viewers (even if you just have a handful at the moment) for feedback on what they want to see more of. This not only helps you build a relationship with your viewers, but it also helps you create content that you know they will enjoy.
YouTube is all about interaction and engagement, so make sure you’re engaging with followers regularly on the platform. Reply to comments they leave on posts, ask questions, run polls and surveys – anything that encourages conversation around your content helps keep viewers engaged and interested in what else you have coming up next.
#3 Consistency is Key to Generating YouTube Subscribers
One of the most important things when it comes to building a successful YouTube channel is consistency. If you want to grow your channel, you need to be posting videos on a regular basis. Whether once a week or three times a week, set a schedule and stick to it.
#4 Make Quality Produced Content
You don’t have to invest thousands of dollars into equipment when you’re just starting, but putting some effort into thinking about your production values will pay dividends from the get-go. Ensure your videos are as well-edited as you can make them and have decent lighting and sound. This is all doable, even if the only camera equipment you have access to is an iPhone.
Don’t underestimate the power of visuals when creating engaging video content; using images and graphics can really bring life to a topic, making it easier for viewers to follow along without getting bored easily (especially if it’s an educational or informational video). Additionally, adding music and sound effects adds another layer of entertainment value which helps keep audiences hooked until the end.
#5 Optimize Your Videos for SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial if you want your videos to be discovered by new viewers. Potential subscribers search for topics related to your content; if it’s optimized, they should be able to find you easily. Make sure your video titles, descriptions, and tags are optimized for the keywords that your target audience is searching for.
Using click-worthy custom YouTube thumbnails is an incredibly effective way to grab attention and boost your CTR rate. Read our three quick tips to help your custom thumbnails pop on YouTube, and also study your favorite creators for inspiration on their approach. For instance, MrBeast is a genius at creating thumbnails that jump out at you and are easily identifiable as his trademark content. He discovered a successful formula and continues to build on it.
How TubeBuddy Can Help: TubeBuddy helps take the guesswork out of understanding which custom thumbnail is the best for your video. Our A/B Testing feature can identify which version of a thumbnail you want to test is going to lead to more click-throughs. Read more about our A/B Testing feature here.
#6 Connect With Other YouTube Creators
Collaborations are one of the best ways for YouTube creators to gain exposure from other audiences while creating something new together. Reach out to other influencers on social media networks like Twitter or Instagram to collaborate and discuss ideas for upcoming videos, which can help build your network in the industry.
Take time to identify the right video partner who can help you reach new audiences and provide value in return. Make sure they have a similar style or target audience as you do so that their fans will be interested in what you have to offer too. Also, know the value of what you can offer them, The most successful collaborations are a two-way street.
#7 Promote Your Videos on Social Media
Promoting your videos on social media is a great way to get more eyes on your content. Share your videos across your social media channels and encourage your followers to check them out with a teaser.
Social media platforms are essential for YouTube creators looking to expand their reach and promote their channels. Utilizing these platforms can help you build an audience, engage with viewers, and get your content seen by more people.
Posting links to your videos on social media, with a catchy headline or description and relevant hashtags, is a very effective way to draw attention to your content.
#8 Create a Trailer for Your YouTube Channel
Creating a trailer for your channel is a great way to introduce yourself to new viewers. Ensure your trailer highlights what your channel is all about and encourages viewers to subscribe there and then. Here’s an excellent example of a trailer from the ‘How to ADHD channel that gives the viewer an overview of what they can expect from the creator:
#9 Run a Giveaway or Contest
Running a giveaway or contest is a great way to get more people to subscribe to your channel. Encourage your viewers to subscribe and comment on your videos for a chance to win a prize.
#10 Monitor Analytics & Pop Culture/Industry Trends
Pay close attention to your analytics data, such as likes/dislikes, shares/retweets, etc., which will give you an idea of how successful certain types of posts are performing compared to others. This information can help inform what type of content you produce in order to better reach your desired demographic and increase viewership over time.
Additionally, staying up-to-date with trends across different social networks allows you to create timely content that resonates better with viewers; this could be anything from following popular memes or topics relevant at the time being discussed online through various outlets (e.g, news sites). We call that trendjacking, and you can learn more about it in this video:
Growing a YouTube channel takes time and effort. It’s important to stay positive and keep going even when things don’t seem to be working out. Keep creating quality content, engaging with your audience, and promoting your channel; before you know it, you will start seeing results.
Soon, there will be many more opportunities for growth potential for viewership numbers and revenue streams.